NEWS EXTRA
WHEN Fin Smith was wondering what to do with himself after Worcester's 66-10 defeat to Northampton in the last round of the Premiership, he found an experienced arm offering him comfort.
His opposite number Dan Biggar, a 32-year-old Welsh international and a Lion on the last two tours, took the time to offer a player 13 years his junior the benefit of his considerable experience.
“I had first met him last season after we played Northampton,” said No.10 Smith. “Ashley Beck was in our side. He had played with Dan at the Ospreys and they are good mates.
“It was a tough night at Northampton and he told me he thought I had done well and that you cannot let a result like that drag you down. He said he had had been in a similar position at my age and he saw a lot of the player he was then in me. The main message was head up, don't put it all on yourself and crack on next week.
“I appreciated that a lot. I thought it was great that someone with that experience would take the time to speak to a young lad he could see was hurting after. It was a really cool moment for me.”
Smith started the season on loan at Ampthill but was recalled this month after summer recruit Owen Williams, another Welsh international 10, suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery and will keep him out until Christmas.
“It was good experience at Ampthill,” said Smith. “I would be at Worcester during the day and drive there in the evening. It was a challenge trying to lead a group of men who were a tight group and I was working with Paul Turner, an experienced fly-half himself who I learned a lot from.
“Worcester is my home club and the team I want to play for. It was not disappointing to go on loan but I was delighted to come back and I wanted push for a place.
“Owen was playing really well and he is the best I have played with in how he communicates with the group. His leadership is spot on and it is brilliant he is still around. He takes the front at meetings often and has gone through the games I've played with me.”
